Greece has expanded special maternity protection leave to more categories of beneficiaries under a recent ministerial decision, labour lawyer Margarita Kardari said. The new regulation extends access to the nine-month maternity leave, with payments made by the Public Employment Service (DYPA) based on the minimum wage. How the maternity leave can be usedThe special maternity protection leave can follow the standard maternity leave and can also be combined with annual leave, depending on the employee’s choice. After that period, an employee can take either annual leave or special maternity protection leave, in accordance with the applicable regulations. Part-time workers gain accessOne of the significant changes concerns part-time employees, who now qualify for special maternity protection leave.